Movable grooming apparatus and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A movable grooming apparatus that allows a user to use a hair dryer and to move the hair dryer about the user hands-free without using his/her hands. The movable grooming apparatus may be set up on the floor or coupled to a ceiling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/959,881 filed Oct. 7, 2004 in the name of the Applicant, to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to grooming equipment and, more particularly, to a movable grooming apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous devices are available to satisfy personal grooming needs, including hair dryers, curling irons, brushes, curlers, hot irons, scissors, and similar devices. Many of these devices feature the common elements of requiring a close proximity to a person and also requiring a range of movement of the device to be used effectively. For example, effective use of a hair dryer requires positioning the hair dryer approximately one foot from a person's hair, and moving the hair dryer to target wet hair and to prevent damaging dry hair with excessive heat.

As a consequence, many grooming devices are designed to be hand-held so that a person may freely move and operate the devices during use. Unfortunately, problems arise when a person requires the use of multiple devices simultaneously. For example, a hair stylist may desire to operate a hair dryer, a comb, and a pair of scissors at the same time.

Various devices have been introduced to address this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,199,805; 5,956,862; 5,737,847; 5,064,154; 4,809,444; and 4,278,223 each describe stationary hair dryer stands for hands-free drying. However, these devices share the problem of requiring people to either manually reposition the hair dryer or reposition themselves to ensure that their hair is dried and not damaged from prolonged exposure to the hot air.

Some have used hair dryer stands with wheel bases. However, these devices do not effectively address the problem that a user must either physically move to target the dryer onto a different portion of hair, or else manually reposition either the stand or the hair dryer, or both.

When grooming in front of a stationary mirror, it is not convenient for people to turn or move to accommodate the stationary hair dryer, as they may no longer be able to view their image in the mirror. Furthermore, having to repeatedly stop what they are doing in order to physically move the stand or reposition the hair dryer may become prohibitively strenuous and may also prevent the efficient completion of their grooming tasks. In addition, care must be taken when repositioning these devices. One needs to ensure that the hair dryer remains at an appropriate distance from the target hair or the benefits of using the hair dryer will be substantially reduced, and may even become injurious in the case of damaged hair.

A need therefore exists to provide a system and method that provides all of the advantages of the prior art with none of the disadvantages. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a movable grooming apparatus that allows a user to use a hair dryer hands-free.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a movable grooming apparatus that allows a user to move the hair dryer about the user without using his/her hands.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a movable grooming apparatus that may be used on the floor or suspended from a ceiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two movable grooming apparatuses of the present invention shown attached to the ceiling of a salon. One is shown in a retracted position and the other is shown in use in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable grooming apparatus of the present invention shown placed on the floor in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the movable grooming apparatus shown being used by an individual in a home setting.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the movable grooming apparatus shown in an extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a movable grooming apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a semi-circular track defining a central point, wherein any point along the track is equidistant from the central point, a grooming device holder movably coupled to the track so that the grooming device holder is positionable along the track, and a motor for moving the grooming device holder along the track.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a hands-free hair styling apparatus is disclosed. The hands-free hair styling apparatus comprises a C-shaped track defining a central point, wherein any point along the track is equidistant from the central point, a grooming device holder movably coupled to the track so that the grooming device holder is positionable along the track, a motor for moving the grooming device holder along the track, and a foot pedal coupled to the motor for controlling an operation of the motor, wherein the foot pedal has a left button that will move the grooming device holder in a left direction along the track and having a right button that will move the grooming device holder in a right direction along the track.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for hands-free hair drying is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a movable grooming apparatus comprising a semi-circular track defining a central point, wherein any point along the track is equidistant from the central point, a hair dryer holder movably coupled to the track so that the hair dryer holder is positionable along the track, a hair dryer held by the hair dryer holder, a motor for moving the hair dryer holder along the track, and a foot pedal coupled to the motor for controlling an operation of the motor, wherein the foot pedal has a left button that will move the hair dryer holder in a left direction along the track and has a right button that will move the hair dryer holder in a right direction along the track. The method further comprises the steps of positioning a user at the central point of the semi-circular track, blowing hair of the user with the hair dryer, and pressing the left and right buttons to move the hair dryer about the user as desired while maintaining a constant distance between the hair dryer and the hair of the user.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

FIGS. 1-4 disclose a movable grooming apparatus, hereinafter referred to as grooming apparatus 10. The grooming apparatus 10 comprises semi-circular, i.e. C-shaped, track 12, a grooming device holder 16 movably coupled to the track 12, and a motor 30 for moving the grooming device holder 16 along the track 12.

The grooming apparatus 10 has a semi-circular track 12 that may be mounted on the ceiling 40 (see FIG. 1) or it may be placed on a floor 42 (see FIGS. 2-4). The track 12 may be mounted to the ceiling 40 by brackets or any other suitable mounting means. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the track 12 may be elevated at waist- or head-height, or mounted to the surface of a wall. The track 12 defines a center point 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) wherein any point along the track 12 is equidistant from that central point 14. The grooming device holder 16 positions the grooming device 22 toward the central point 14 of the track 12 and the grooming device 22 remains directed toward the central point 14 of the track 12 when moved along the track 12. When a user 46 is positioned at this central point 14, hot air from the blow dryer 24 may be uniformly applied to the user's 46 hair 44 while the grooming device holder 16 is moved along the track 12 during blow drying. The user 46 is thus able to use the grooming device 22 at convenient, equidistant positions while keeping both hands free and without having to reposition his/her body for uniform blow-drying.

However, it should be noted that certain benefits may be obtained by not having the grooming device holder 16 rotatably constrained. For example, the grooming device 22 being used may be a mirror used in conjunction with a stationary mirror so that a user 46 may view a back portion of his/her head. In that case, the grooming device holder 16 may freely pivot for manual alignment of the mirror, for example, or may incorporate a gearing mechanism (not shown) to rotate the grooming device holder 16 as it moves along the track 12 to automatically align the mirror, as another example.

The grooming device holder 16 is shown as having two pole members 18 that are telescoping. These telescoping pole members 18 allow the height of the grooming device holder 16 to be adjusted according to the height of the user 46. The pole members 18 also have a threaded collar, which may be released to adjust the height and tightened to maintain the current height of the grooming device holder 16. Although the grooming device holder 16 is shown as having two telescoping pole members 18, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the grooming device holder 16 having more than two telescoping pole members 18 or from having no telescoping pole members 18 at all. It should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be achieved from the grooming device holder 16 using alternative height adjustment means. For example, one pole member 18 may have spring-biased protrusions that engage a series of spaced-apart holes on the other pole member 18. Or, an electrical motor may be used to extend or retract the pole members 18.

The grooming device holder 16 may also have an additional pole member 19 coupled to one end of one of the telescoping pole members 18 by an elbow connector 20 (see FIG. 3). The additional pole member 19 would allow the grooming device holder 16 to be angled toward the central point 14. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the additional pole member 19 being coupled by a ball and socket connector (not shown) to the telescoping pole member 18 in order to create a pivot point. A ball and socket connecter could allow finer angle adjustment.

The grooming device holder 16 is shown as having a U-shaped gripper 26 for holding a grooming device 22, such as a hair dryer 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various other structures may be used to engage the various grooming devices 22. For example, the use of clamps, hook and loop material, magnets, adhesives, threaded fasteners, or any other method of engaging a grooming device 22, or their equivalents, alone or in combination, are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The gripper 26 may be coupled to one end of one of the telescoping pole members 18 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) or the gripper 26 may be coupled to an additional pole member 19 that is coupled to the telescoping pole member 18. The gripper 26 may be coupled to the pole member 18,19 by a ball and socket connector 28 to create a pivot point. The gripper 26 may be frictionally engaged by the pole member 18,19 so that the grooming device 22 may be held securely at any angle. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the U-shaped gripper 26 being coupled to the pole member 18,19 by a hinge joint or any other type of coupling mechanism that allows the U-shaped gripper 26 to be movably coupled to the pole member 18,19.

The motor 30 may be rigidly coupled to the track 12. However, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the motor 30 driving a plurality of wheels along the track 12 to propel the grooming device holder 16. As another example, magnetic levitation and propulsion may also be used.

The grooming apparatus 10 further comprises a control device 32 coupled to the motor 30. The control device 32 controls the motor 30 so that a first actuation of the control device 32 moves the grooming device holder 16 in one direction along the track and so that a second actuation of the control device 32 moves the grooming device holder 16 in an opposite direction along the track 12. For example, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the control device 32 is a foot pedal 34, having a “left” button 36 for moving the grooming device holder 16 in a left direction and having a “right” button 36 for moving the grooming device holder 16 in a right direction. It should be clearly understood that the control device 32 may be something other than a foot pedal 34. For example, the control device 32 may be held in the user's hand, worn on a wrist, or fastened to a surface such as a counter or mirror, and feature finger-operated controls such as buttons or rocker switches. As another example, the control device 32 may be voice-operated or may be programmed to automatically move along the track 12 at a certain speed for a certain amount of time.

The grooming apparatus 10 may also have an electrical outlet 38 for providing electrical power to a grooming device 22 held by the grooming device holder 16.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the grooming device 22 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to be a hair dryer 24, it should be understood to one skilled in the art that different types of grooming devices 22 may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The grooming device 22 may be a mirror; other examples include but are not limited to, combs, brushes, scissors, or hairspray canisters. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention that more than one grooming device 22 may be used with the present invention; for example, both a hair dryer and a mirror may be held by the grooming device holder 16. As another example, although the foot pedal 34 is shown coupled to the motor 30 by electrical wire, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the control device 32 being coupled to the motor 30 by any other suitable means, including mechanical coupling and wireless coupling. 

1. A movable grooming apparatus comprising: a semi-circular track defining a central point, wherein any point along said track being equidistant from said central point; a grooming device holder movably coupled to said track so that said grooming device holder is positionable along said track; and a motor for moving said grooming device holder along said track.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track being ceiling-mounted.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track being on a floor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grooming device holder comprises means for adjusting a height of said grooming device holder.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grooming device holder having at least one pivot point for angling a grooming device toward a user.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grooming device holder being dimensioned to hold a hair dryer.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control device coupled to said motor for controlling an operation of said motor, wherein a first actuation of said control device moves said grooming device holder in one direction along said track, and wherein a second actuation of said control device moves said grooming device holder in an opposite direction along said track.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control device comprises a foot pedal having one button for moving said grooming device holder in said one direction and having another button for moving said grooming device holder in said opposite direction.
 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical outlet for providing electrical power to a grooming device held by said grooming device holder.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a U-shaped gripper movably coupled to said grooming device holder, said gripper for holding a grooming device.
 11. A hands-free hair styling apparatus comprising: a C-shaped track defining a central point, wherein any point along said track being equidistant from said central point; a grooming device holder movably coupled to said track so that said grooming device holder is positionable along said track; a motor for moving said grooming device holder along said track; and a foot pedal coupled to said motor for controlling an operation of said motor, wherein said foot pedal having a left button that will move said grooming device holder in a left direction along said track and having a right button that will move said grooming device holder in a right direction along said track.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said grooming device holder comprises at least two telescoping pole members for adjusting a height of said grooming device holder.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a U-shaped gripper movably coupled to one end of one of said telescoping pole members by a ball and socket connector, said gripper for holding a grooming device.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said grooming device being a hairdryer.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said grooming device holder further comprises an additional pole member coupled to one end of one of said telescoping pole members by an elbow connector, said additional pole member for angling a grooming device toward said central point.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a U-shaped gripper movably coupled to said additional pole member by a ball and socket connector, said gripper for holding a grooming device.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said track being ceiling-mounted.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said track being on a floor.
 19. A method for hands-free hair drying: providing a movable grooming apparatus comprising: a semi-circular track defining a central point, wherein any point along said track being equidistant from said central point; a hair dryer holder movably coupled to said track so that said hair dryer holder is positionable along said track; a hair dryer held by said hair dryer holder; a motor for moving said hair dryer holder along said track; and a foot pedal coupled to said motor for controlling an operation of said motor, wherein said foot pedal having a left button that will move said hair dryer holder in a left direction along said track and having a right button that will move said hair dryer holder in a right direction along said track; positioning a user at said central point of said semi-circular track; blowing hair of said user with said hair dryer; and pressing said left and right buttons to move said hair dryer about said user as desired while maintaining a constant distance between said hair dryer and said hair of said user.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said hair dryer holder comprises: at least two telescoping pole members for adjusting a height of said hair dryer holder; and a U-shaped gripper movably coupled to one end of one of said telescoping pole members by a ball and socket connector, said gripper for holding said hair dryer; and further comprising the steps of: adjusting a height of said hair dryer holder to a height of said user; and adjusting an angle of said hair dryer to said hair of said user by pivoting said U-shaped gripper. 